I’ve strayed from the path of most picked players, and I think it’s time to add an update: Catcher Zack Collins is the most picked player in the mocks so far (4), and as we see what’s been happening on the field for the Mets, as far as catching depth, that has dwindled since Travis d’Arnaud has proved injury prone and the book is still out on Plawecki. I believe it’s high time to write up on a potential catcher.
This mock was produced as the most recent updated mock by Fueled By Sports. Collins is a first-round caliber catcher who was a teammate of Mets 2015 Fourth Rounder, third baseman David Thompson. At the University of Miami prior to last year’s draft, he was second to Thompson in home runs with 15.
#19 Zack Collins, University of Miami
First thing’s first: The guy can hit. He has been compared to Kyle Schwarber as that advanced bat with plus power that he hasn’t fully tapped into yet. He has plus bat speed and above-average to plus power, the ability to hit for a high average, and will produce great OBP numbers due to a great eye. The question is whether he’ll tap into the plus power, or settle for above-average, but he is definitely the best offensive catcher in this draft. This year, he is hitting .417/.580/.713 in 39 games with nine home runs, and a walk to strikeout comparison of 48/25. He’s putting up numbers even video games envy in college right now.
As a catcher, there are questions as to him actually staying at the position, considering that he has been shaky in general. He was a first baseman in high school and switched to catching during college, and had not been considered a great catcher defensively. This year, Baseball America stated they believe he had turned a corner, and that he is improving in his defense considerably. Right now it stands at below average in terms of receiving, but he has been working hard, and is starting to practice pitch framing to set an easier target. He does have a plus arm with a quick release, which makes his case for catching professionally better.
In terms of the Mets current model of walks and power, this is their type of guy. They need one, especially with a quick release to control the bases.
This mock also went all the way to the 2nd round, so I’m going to talk about the other two guys that Fueled for Sports mocked the Mets to pick at #31 and #64
#31 LHP Jesus Luzardo, Stoneman Douglas (Fla.) HS: He has been mocked to the Mets quite a few times so far, and is a fringe first-round arm in general. At 6’1″ 205, he’s reported as physically mature and unlikely to have much in the tank in terms of adding velocity. Last spring he was starting to throw in the mid-90’s and according to Baseball America touched 97, but it was possible that was a result of possibly too much effort as he tore his UCL and underwent Tommy John Surgery. In addition to his fastball that was 88-91 and touching 94 in the past summer, he has an above average curveball and changeup. He is considered very advanced for his age with great control, so he may move fast after he recovers from Tommy John Surgery, and projects as a mid-rotation pitcher.
I personally wouldn’t be thrilled with a limited ceiling starter, but the advanced ability is intriguing, especially from the left side.
#64 SS Luis Curbelo, Cocoa HS (Florida): For people in the know, Curbelo should come as no surprise as he headed a Mets Scout-run Puerto Rican Prospect team that played in Jupiter, as well as Puerto Rico. Curbelo moved from the Puerto Rican Baseball Academy, Carlos Correa’s former High School, to Cocoa High School in Florida for his senior year. The shortstop has above-average bat speed from the right side, that produces some pretty loud contact, with power that is below-average right now, but could possibly get to above-average with some good coaching. As a fielder, he doesn’t have the greatest actions and he’s an average runner with an average arm, but he could move to the hot corner. He sounds like a guy that should be available in round 2 with some untapped potential. I’d prefer an outfielder though.
With this pick Curbelo would be the highest ever draft of a Puerto Rican Native by the Mets. Javier Rodriguez was the prior highest at #68.
Draft picks as of 5/4
C Zack Collins 4, RHP Connor Jones 3, 3B/RHP Josh Lowe 2, 3B Nick Senzel 2, RHP Cal Quantrill 2, 3B Nolan Jones 2, 3B Bobby Dalbec 2, 1B/OF Will Benson 2, RHP Alex Speas 1, LHP Jeff Belge 1, SS Drew Mendoza 2, RHP Ian Anderson 1, RHP Kevin Gowdy 1. C Chris Okey 1, OF Kyle Mercer 1, RHP Kyle Funkhouser 1, OF Nick Banks 1, OF Avery Tuck 1, RHP Daulton Jeffries 1, RHP Alec Hansen 1, RHP Austin Bergner 1, OF Bryan Reynolds 1, OF Alex Kirilloff 1, OF Buddy Reed 1
Comp Pick:
LHP Jesus Luzardo 3, C Chris Okey 2, RHP Zach Jackson 2, RHP Logan Shore 1, RHP Robert Tyler 1, RHP Kyle Funkhouser 1, 3B/RHP David Lowe 1, LHP Eric Lauer 1, RHP Alex Speas 1, RHP Zach Bergner 1, 3B Will Craig 1, LHP Braxton Garrett 1, OF Heath Quinn 1, RHP Ian Anderson 1, , RHP Kevin Gowdy 1, 3B/SS Carter Kieboom 1, OF Will Benson 1
Round 2:
SS Luis Curbelo 2, SS Grant Bodison 1, RHP Drake Fellows 2, RHP Wil Crowe 1, C Ben Rortvedt 1
Wow Zack Collins looks very intriguing. Would love to get him!
Pitching strong draft especially for HS guys affords us the chance to take a LH hitting catcher or 3B which would be awesome IMO.
OF still remains a question mark with Nimmo, Becerra and Lindsey all likely to get up and take their shots at sticking alongside Conforto but more must be done at these 3 positions.
Personally I would love to add Josh Lowe if he’s singable.
I like the Catcher. Advance bat, Plus bat speed, and plus power always sound appealing to me.
Both those guys sound really good. I wonder is Jesus Luzardo can get back up to 97 though?
I cannot disagree but I doubt he sticks behind the plate and we have a ton of 1B candidates such as Smith, Winningham and Obereste not to mention Flores/Wright and that position is the longest lasting one of the 8 everyday spots.
Catcher has TdA, KP, Sanchez, Uriarte, Plaia, Garcia, Nido and Brosher. 3B and OF is what we need to shore up all things being equal of course.
He has a pretty good chance to remain behind the plate. The only thing he’s lacking is experience. He has a plus arm. Also you can never have too many catchers.
Word is he was overthrowing, which blew out his elbow, but you never know what TJS can do.
Catchers taken in the first round have a very spotty record and even when they do develop, they take a while like Weiters And there is a better than average chance that he doesn’t wind up behind the plate anyway.
You can say the same about catchers in any round, including Mazeika. Right now I’m going off the scouting reports but often times the Scouts aren’t totally correct because between now and their possible Major League Debut, plenty of stuff can change. This made even you believe that Conforto was destined for first base and look at him now.
Plus, when has Sandy had much of a regard for catching defense?
By the way, I can guarantee that Brosher or Smith are not preventing them from taking any type of player. It’s BPA all the way, and an Advanced bat like this? That’s pretty freaking good.
Alderson got whatever controllable high ceiling catcher he could in TdA and drafted Plaweicki, then set his sights on Garcia, Sanchez, Uriarte ect so I don’t think we can make a blanket statement about him not caring about catcher D but the question here is will this guy even BE a catcher.
1. Catcher defense < Catcher Offense in their eyes.
2. Garcia is closer to not making it when you see how many paper moves he's had.
3. Sanchez and Uriarte are NOT getting in the way of a high ceiling bat at catcher.
4. There's been more reports lately of him being a catcher than not. Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus both are citeworthy and his defense has improved considerably. You go for BPA and an advanced college bat is not inferior to Josh Lowe. No way.
The catcher sounds legit. I would love to see them get a huge upside arm. They don’t have any too arms in the low minors Amy longer.
Really like this catcher Collins Teddy. With Craig not being a sure 3rd baseman we should pass on him. Believe we have enough 1st baseman already.